How to chant a mantra

The Roman letters on this site are IAST, the standard scholarly system. A few signs: ā ī ū are long vowels, held twice as long as a, i, u; ṛ is like "ri"; ṃ is a nasal sound; ḥ is a soft breath after the vowel; ś and ṣ are "sh" sounds; ṭ ḍ ṇ are said with the tongue curled back; an h after a consonant (dh, bh, gh) is a puff of air with the consonant.

Rhythm

Many Sanskrit verses are in a metre of fixed syllables, so read slowly, with equal weight on each syllable, and hold the long ones. Listening to a recording or to a teacher gives the tune, which differs between regions.

Posture and breathing

Sit comfortably with a straight back, on a mat or a low seat, with the eyes closed or looking down. Breathe in quietly, then chant on the outbreath. If your legs hurt, sit on a chair; the posture is only a help.

Japa mala

A mala usually has 108 beads plus a larger "meru" bead. Hold it in the right hand and move one bead with each repetition using the thumb and the middle finger (not the index finger, in the common tradition), and when you reach the meru, turn the mala round and go back rather than crossing it. Many people count one round (108) or a smaller number; a few minutes a day is enough to start.

How long?

There is no fixed length. Start with five minutes at a regular time, such as after waking, and extend when it feels natural. Stop if you feel dizzy, and never strain the voice or the breath.

The meanings and notes are our own words and not an authorised translation. Mantras belong to living traditions, and families and teachers differ in how they chant and use them; please ask yours. We make no claim that any mantra brings any result.